Jobs4RE
To accelerate renewable energy deployment by 2030, governments are encouraged to develop plans that ensure a sufficient supply of both entry-level and skilled workers for the installation and construction of renewable infrastructure. The wind industry continues to experience double-digit growth, requiring an influx of qualified personnel across all roles and a corresponding investment in people and skills. International workforce mobility offers a valuable opportunity, particularly for countries with stable or aging populations, as well as for those whose citizens have historically participated in global industries abroad. During COP28, supporting the UAE consensus initiative, IRENA and GWO committed to develop a strategic framework under the headline “Jobs4RE”. The objective is to assist governments in doing their part to support workforce development for the renewable energy, starting with wind.
Objectives
The strategic framework provides decision makers engaged in workforce development for wind sector an industry recognised standardised framework for wind energy workforce training, applying international standards and clear guidance for employers and regulators on how best to deploy them for success. The framework establishes a transparent and valid set of standardised skills for entry level roles in construction & installation and operations & maintenance of wind turbines for onshore and offshore wind facilities.
Strategic framework
Key benefits of introducing the framework:
- Support governments in addressing the needs of renewable energy developers and ultimately contributing to NetZero ambitions
- Establish Foundational Competencies, providing a universal framework for wind industry standard entry-level skills, knowledge and abilities required by wind employers.
- Reduce duplication, avoiding duplications between national and international standards, streamline educational programmes, lower costs and complexity of training
- Support Skilled Worker Integration, showcasing how standardised entry-level training supports a country’s transition of experienced professionals from other industries
- Facilitate Workforce Mobility: global standards minimise regional disparities in training, making it easier for workers to transition between projects and locations
Strategic Framework aims to inspire stakeholders to develop national pathways, applying its principles and examples to foster a skilled, sustainable workforce through coordinated government and sector efforts. The launch of the Jobs4RE framework is planned at the second half of 2026, next discussion round table will take place during the Global Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi in January 2026.
Contacts:
Simon Benmarraze, Head of Innovation and Technology Centre, IRENA, SBenmarraze@irena.org
Sergei Perapechka, Head of Partnerships & Network Development, GWO, sp@globalwindsafety.org
